Zurich’s Australasian General Insurance CEO Daniel Fogarty is sending his state-based underwriting teams onto the streets to re-engage with the broking world.

“The brokers are telling us they want the deal-makers out of the office,” Mr Fogarty told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “So we’ve set up an underwriting service team of about 30 people that is Sydney-based.”

This team will take on specialist underwriting roles, such as pricing particular risks, plus processing and administration tasks previously carried out in state offices. It will focus on motor and property insurance.

Zurich hopes this will allow state-based underwriters to get out and make deals with brokers.

“State underwriters will be out talking to the brokers,” Mr Fogarty said. “We’ve had a very positive response from the brokers so far. Because Zurich only distributes through brokers, we have to make sure we keep them happy.”